Warren J. Rothschild, Jr.

Warren J. Rothschild. Jr. passed away on Monday, July 10th, surrounded by his family. Formerly of Wilbraham, MA, he and his wife Deborah moved to Dennis Port, MA in 2018, fulfilling their lifelong dream of retiring on Cape Cod.

Warren was born on November 23, 1945 in New York, New York to Warren J. Rothschild Sr. and Helen (Wiesner) Rothschild. He and his family moved to Springfield, MA in 1957. Warren attended Springfield Technical High School and Springfield Technical Community College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He graduated from The University of Massachusetts in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in Fire Science.

Warren loved this country and joined the Army in 1965, serving as a field meteorologist in the Panama Canal Zone and Vietnam. He qualified as Expert Riflemen. He was later assigned to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Upon discharge from the Army, he and Deborah moved back to Western MA, settling in the beautiful town of Wilbraham where they raised their family. He joined the Wilbraham Fire Department in 1967. In addition to his firefighting and EMT duties, he implemented many classes for the town including home safety, wood stove safety and babysitting safety. He served as the Fire Safety Officer and Arson Investigator. He was instrumental in organizing the union, and was one of the original signers of the union charter. He retired in 1999 after 31 years of service.

Due to his strong belief in our military, Warren joined the Air Force Reserves where he served for 19 years. He was instrumental in devising, implementing and teaching new programs at various Air Force bases across the country. He served as a Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Instructor and retired with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant as an Assistant Fire Chief.

Throughout his nearly 23 year long military career, Warren was awarded 2 Air Force Commendations, 5 Outstanding Unit Medals, 2 National Defense Medals, Army Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Length of Service Medal.

Warren was predeceased by his parents, his sister Janet and his sister in law and brother in law, Judy (Backus) Cummings and Jimmy Cummings.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 56 years Deborah, his four daughters and sons-in-law; Jennifer and Kevin Rothschild-Shea, Meredith Rothschild-Ely and Joseph Ely Jr., Heather and Jon Levesque and Meghan and Andrew Rothschild-Mankus and his nine grandchildren; Brynnan Rothschild-Shea and fiance William Walker, Liam, Maeve, 2nd Lieutenant Gracyn Rothschild-Shea, Keelin, Delaney and Linnea Rothschild-Ely, and Veronica and Jack Levesque. He also leaves his beloved cousin Bobby Rothschild, his wife Cathy and their family.

Calling hours are Friday, 4-7 pm at the Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. Warren’s Funeral will be Saturday at 9 am from Wilbraham Funeral Home to a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at St. Cecilia Church, 42 Main St., Wilbraham. Military Honors will be held in the church rotunda immediately following the Mass. Burial will take place on Monday at 11:30 am in Hillcrest Park Cemetery, 895 Parker St., Springfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.